Scenic Shores: Gallery of the Top Beaches

Sparkling Sands

(Image credit: Coronado Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Located in San Diego, Coronado Beach (shown here at sunset) snagged the top spot on the Top 10 Best Beaches of 2012. Its fine, hard-packed sand extending for over a mile and the iconic Hotel del Coronado helped lift this bicycle- and kid-friendly beach to No. 1. And for those who live on the West Coast, the water should feel warm, reaching perhaps 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the 22nd year of the Best Beaches list, put together by Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research in Miami, who is also called Dr. Beach. Check out the other hot spots for beachgoers.

Coronado Beach

(Image credit: Brett Shoaf.)

Coronado Beach is very flat, making it great for skim boarding and walking; the sand's silvery sheen comes from the presence of mica. And when you get hungry or thirsty the landmark Hotel del Coronado serves up plenty of food and drinks. Built more than 100 years ago and boasting a peaked red roof and classic Victorian architecture, the hotel has hosted a string of celebrities, including serving as the backdrop for a Marilyn Monroe movie.

Kahanamoku Beach

(Image credit: Nikkiundmichi)

The beach is named in honor of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (whose statue is shown here) who was a gold medal Olympic swimmer and credited with introducing surfing to the outside world, according to Leatherman. A shallow offshore reef protects Kahanamoku Beach from big waves, making it a great swimming area for families with children.

Main Beach

Main Beach is located in East Hampton, N.Y. (a general Hamptons photo shown here), where wealthy summertime residents flock here to the beaches, which are protected by a conservation easement that dates back some 300 years. "The big, wide sandy beach made of quartz has towering sand dunes and beautiful clean and clear blue water," according to Leatherman. In addition to the natural wonders, Main Beach is a great place to spot celebs. Biking is the best way to get around to avoid parking hassles.

St. George Island

(Image credit: Tim Ross / Public Domain)

While Florida beaches took a dive on the 2010 list due to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, where tarballs on beaches were not uncommon, this year they're back, according to Leatherman. Even so, Leatherman said, the brilliant white sands and clear waters of St. George Island, located in northwestern Florida, were fortunately not even impacted last summer. "Stingrays are sometimes resting in the shallow waters so shuffle your feet when entering," Leatherman said. It's also a great place to see birds, like this ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis).

Hamoa Beach

(Image credit: Maui Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Hamoa Beach in Maui, like other Hawaiian spots, is sure to have beautiful blue water and plenty of sunshine. The half-moon-shaped beach is covered in gray-hued sand, a mix of ground coral and lava. One side, the left, has calmer waters than the other side, which is often swept by powerful rip currents, according to travel sites.

Coast Guard Beach

Coast Guard Beach was formed where a sand spit attached to the eroding glacial cliffs, according to Leatherman. Located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, the sand is fairly coarse, resulting in a beach that slopes steeply into the water, where temperatures only reach 60-70 degrees F.

Waimanalo Bay State Park

(Image credit: Public Domain)

Located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, this beach park has ample parking, restrooms, outdoor showers, and a good beach for swimming. Leatherman says the beach may not be as stunning as some other Hawaiian paradises, it's save because big waves and dangerous currents are rare and lifeguards are present.

Cape Florida State Park

(Image credit: C. Rolph)

Cape Florida State Park, located at the south tip of Key Biscayne, boasts of emerald-colored water and gentle surf. The white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as a large sand shoal offshore absorbs wave energy. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse (shown here) allows for a great view of the beautiful beach.

Cape Hatteras

(Image credit: NASA)

Bulging far offshore of the mainland coast as a barrier island, Cape Hatteras was the first National Seashore, shown here in an aerial image taken in October 1999. The beach offers some of the best surfing along the East Coast and is famous for its lighthouse.